RANGERS chairman Malcolm Murray has issued an "unreserved" apology on behalf of the club for the "distress, disruption and difficulty" the Ibrox crisis has inflicted on Scottish football.

Murray, who was appointed by Charles Green last month, says the whole of Scottish football is now having to live with the consequences of the irresponsible actions of the previous regime at Ibrox which led the club to liquidation.

Murray issued the apology as SFL clubs were meeting at Hampden to discuss proposals to admit the newco Rangers into division one next season.

SFL clubs have been warned in a document that £16million could be lost to the Scottish game if Rangers are relaunched in the Third Division.

Gers chief Green is trying to negotiate a compromise deal with SPL chairmen which could yet see his club re-enter the SPL next season.

But their future remains far from certain with seven SPL clubs already publicly stating their opposition and a growing number of SFL clubs opposed to the newco being admitted to division one.

Murray said: "The last few months have been extremely difficult for everyone at Rangers - staff, players and, most importantly, the supporters of the club who have been magnificent in the face of adversity.

"That said, all of us within the Rangers family are acutely aware that events at our club, brought about by people who are no longer here, have triggered a crisis in Scottish football.

"Ally McCoist, the staff and players have nothing to apologise for but the club needs to make an apology. It is only right that someone at Rangers expresses our sorrow and regret.

"On behalf of the new board of directors, I apologise unreservedly to all for the distress, disruption and difficulty inflicted on the football community, caused entirely by the actions of people who failed miserably to act responsibly during their stewardship of Rangers."

Rangers were consigned to liquidation last month amid debts that could reach more than £100million, much of which is owed to the taxpayer.

Clubs such as Motherwell have warned that they could face an insolvency event because of the collapse of the Ibrox club, even if they accept the newco club into the SPL.

Motherwell, who were due to confirm the result of their fans' vote, said the loss of Rangers in the SPL next season could cost them up to £900,000 but voting the newco in and alienating loyal fans would also lead to long-term financial damage.

Murray said: "All of Scottish football is now having to live with the consequences of that behaviour and every true Rangers fan will consider it a matter of deep regret that events at our club in the past have been the root cause of an extremely difficult time for Scottish football.

"The people who are now running Rangers Football Club want the club to move forward but we cannot do so until we have recognised how damaging to football has been the crisis at our club.

"We want to rebuild Rangers but we also want to ensure the club plays a role that is beneficial to Scottish football, the Scottish economy and Scottish life in general."